Customized Insoles at Runnr

Thursday, 16 July 2009  |  Gear + Gadgets

Do you need customized insoles? If you’re one of those lucky runners with a neutral arch and neutral gait, then probably not. But, for most runners who overpronate or supinate, customized insoles may provide the support, stability, cushioning, and propulsion that the sockliner (the one that comes with the shoe) doesn’t offer.

I’m a flat footed, overpronating runner. And, I swear by my Spenco insoles. Last year, I had custom orthotics made (it cost me a hefty P4,000 plus huge blisters on my foot after Buddy Run 2008) but it’s weight and thickness made it uncomfortable for me to run. I think the pair I got wasn’t made for runners.  What a waste.

Last night, I passed by Runnr store on the way home from dinner and spotted Toby, owner of Runnr, inside his store. I wished him good luck for Runnr’s grand opening on Friday and, before I knew it, I had been invited to try out his new customized insole machine called FLASHFIT.

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The FLASHFIT basically follows the shape of your foot and molds the insole accordingly. It looks like a miniature xerox machine for the foot and, truth be told, it practically performs like one as the customized insole is ready in as little as 10 seconds.

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– Retail price: P3,950 for runners. They have customized insoles for bikers too –

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– Sideview of Conform-able Insole –

The insoles are called CONFORM-ABLE. These are 75% pre-molded so that when one steps on the machine, the insole is quickly customized to your foot by 25%. According to the packaging, the insole provides cushioning and anti-vibration, stability, and propulsion. It is thinner than my Spenco orthotic insoles, but it feels like there’s more arch support.  

As the rest of the Runnr staff watched, Toby began to demonstrate how the flashfit worked. Should you decide to get insoles (which I highly recommend), here are the steps we took to get the insoles customized for my foot:

1. Check my arch. I was asked to stand on a contraption to determine if am low-, neutral-, or high-arched. I stood on it for several seconds, took a step back, and saw an imprint of my foot. With my very low arches, Toby said that I was the perfect runner for this job. Great! It was obvious my left had a very low arch while the right was slightly better. Toby asked if I was left-handed (yes, I am) and explained that as a lefty, the left leg is more dominant hence the lower arch on the left. Now I know why it’s my left leg that’s always beset by injuries.

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– See everyone staring at my feet? Good thing they provided Runnr socks (which I loooove by the way). If you plan to try this, bring socks if your feet-conscious –

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– Can you see my arch? Or the lack of it? –

2. Measure the insole for my foot. I was asked to step on the insole to ensure that I got the correct size.

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3. Step on the Flashfit platform. Position your feet properly by aligning your foot with the arrows. Put your weight in the middle.

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4. Practice neutral position of foot. Toby asked me to position my foot properly by lifting my arch upward so that the two notches near my ankles were out. (See photo below) This would put my foot in neutral position, the way it should be. And, that would be the same position I had to use when I stepped on the insole later on.

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– Toby checks if I’m positioning my feet properly. It should be in neutral position –

5. Insole is heated for a few seconds right before my eyes.

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– Cooking time! –

6. Insole is placed under the foot. Step on the insole in neutral position (as mentioned in no. 6) Wait a few seconds.

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6. Voila, it’s done! Allow the insole to rest for 2 hours before using.

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7. At home, you may cut insoles to fit your shoe or follow shape of your old insoles.

PRICE LIST:

UNIVERSAL COMFORT (1/2) – For low arches – 1,350.00
UNIVERSAL COMFORT – For low arches – 1,750.00
UNIVERSAL CUSHION – For neutral to high – 1,850.00
UNIVERSAL ENERGY – For flat/no arches – 1,950.00
UNIVERSAL GEL PAD – 950.00

MULTI PLUS – 3,450.00
BIKE PLUS – 3,950.00
RUN PLUS – 3,950.00

Now available at Runnr, Bonifacio High Street

 

For more info, visit conform-able insoles website here.

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Botak Paa-Bilisan Road Race Hits Baguio

Thursday, 16 July 2009  |  Race Announcements

PRESS RELEASE:

The quarterly Botak Paa-Bilisan Road Race Series held in Manila will hold its third-quarter race outside Metro Manila. The first two races were held at the Bonifacio Gloabal City last March and May. The third quarter Paa-Bilisan Road Race Series shifts to Baguio for the Pines City’s centennial celebration.

This event dubbed: Botak Paa-Bilisan Road Race Series in Baguio is included in the City’s Centennial Calendar of Events. The race is organized by OlymPlus Sports with the University of Baguio Sport Head Ed Laureano as the Race Director. Scheduled for Sunday 6 September 2009 at the Lake Drive of Burnham Park, the event will have a 5km, 10km and 15km race distances.

Top three winners in each race division for male and female will receive cash awards and trophies. While the top three runners in 10 different age groups in the 10km and 15km will receive medals. There will be a total of 80 winners.

Registration forms are now available for downloading at www.paaligsahan.com and www.takbo.ph. Filled up registration forms will be accepted at Laperal Building along Session Road, Sports Director’s Office of the University of Baguio and at the Botak Sportshop at 131 Kamuning Road in Quezon City on August 3, 2009.

Race Packets include original Botak sports running singlets along with your runner’s bib, safety pins, route map and race instructions. The race route will pass through South Drive and Loakan Road for the 15km distance.

Botak Paa-Bilisan Road Race is a quarterly road race event, in the PAA-LIGSAHAN Takbong Pambansa Running Program, open to all runners and fitness buffs that opt to choose a healthier active lifestyle. It will have a 5km run as side feature. This road race is designed to be highly competitive event with big prize money and awards.

The course will be well planned and measured to provide top runners to set new running records for the 10km distance. The winner who will set a new Philippine Record gets double the prize money and a time of sub-29 minutes will entitle the winning runner a sponsored trip to see action in one of the prestigious 10km road race in the USA.

Timex Send Off Party for Ironman 70.3 Camsur

Wednesday, 15 July 2009  |  Race Announcements

Last July 13, Monday, I was invited to the Timex Send-Off Party for its teams and individuals participating in the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in Camsur on August 23, 2009.  (It was hard enough to accept the fact that I won’t be joining the relay for this, even tougher to see all these triathletes in one room all excited over this…sob sob)

I took the time out from work and braved the heavy rains and hellish traffic to arrive at the North Forbes Park, Makati an hour and a half late. By the time I entered the pavillion, almost all seats were filled and worse, I didn’t see a single familiar face. Fortunately, Harvie of Hammer Gel approached me, and together with his lovely wife Eizza, the three of us found the last empty table in the corner of the room, right in front of the stage.

Turns out I arrived at the perfect time. The program began, hosted by no less than ironwoman Ani de Leon and a deejay whose name escapes me at this point. A host of party games ensued where athletes such as Ernie Lopez, Chesca Carpo, Lara Parpan of Women’s Health, and even our good friend, Coach Rio, were made to sing, act, dance, and basically have fun onstage with Timex watches awarded to those who did it best. The luckiest person of the night was probably Will Ottiger, husband of Fiona of Polo Tri team, who said “Timeeeeeeex” the longest in one breath thereby winning for himself the Timex Expedition worth P30,000+ (I had just read a positive review about that watch online the night before so I was literally drooling when I saw it.)

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– Coach Rio goes first in the game –

A brief yet inspiring video was shown about the history of Timex’s partnership with Ironman Triathlon. The Timex teams were also presented: Timex-RunRio, Timex Women’s Health, and two Timex-TMM teams as well as individual triathletes, Ani de Leon, Arland Macasieb, Nonoy Jopson, Leica Carpo and Tessa Prieto-Valdez. Each of them said a few words about their participation in the upcoming Ironman Triathlon.

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– Nonoy Jopson, my batchmate and Pinoy who reached highest ever ranking among world’s triathletes, Boston0-finisher Leica Carpo, and David Charlton of David’s Salon –

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– All the best to Timex Teams –

The event was a success and worth the long trip for me. I was in the presence of the country’s top triathletes, I came home with a new Timex watch, and I finally got to see Marc Nelson in the flesh!

Congratulations to Timex and best of luck to the Timex Teams, especially RunRio! Woohooo!

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– We shall see each other again at Kenny’s Urban Run, Marc! –

Beeyatch

Tuesday, 14 July 2009  |  Bullish Insights

I’m in high spirits today.  Work had been overwhelming and exhausting the past week, but since I submitted everything this morning, I felt a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders.  I plan to block my entire week only for light meetings, absolutely no design projects, and lots and lots of running.

Perfect timing since my bestest running buddy Annie just arrived from Singapore today.  Woohoo!  We’ll definitely be running all over the place—from our favorite training grounds to the Run for Home half marathon this coming Sunday.  I’m so psyched.

It seems that nothing can faze me.  Even this comment attacking me for my post on the One La Salle post (which was over a year ago!) didn’t bother me; in fact, it was wonderful entertainment.  This  “bitch” (she called herself that, not me) who seems to have nothing in between her two ears posted this:

Author: Bitch in Disguise (IP: 121.1.53.31 , acl1-257bts.gw.smartbro.net)
E-mail: atenista101@yahoo.com
Comment: 

ang corny mo naman! papansin ka lang. masyado kang disrespectful! kung gusto mo magblue, then don’t join the La Salle race.

To think that I had written this in my post:

Now, to my La Sallite friends (or is it, La Sallian?) please don’t find offense in this.  It is not meant to be disrespectful either.  We just want to express our fierce loyalty towards our own alma mater.  (Click here for full post)

Ack…some people.  I find it ironic that 1) she finds me corny, but she read my blog and  2) she said I’m disrespectful when she’s the one being offensive.  Is this girl even a runner?  We runners have more respect towards each other than this girl will ever fathom.  If she is a runner, then she must be having an awful day.  She probably found five dead toe nails when she removed her shoes, or she has an injury, or maybe she was forced to cut her run short due to a bad case of diarrhea.  Whatever.  

To Bitch in Disguise:  I find humor in this, really.  Maybe you should try getting a sense of humor, too. By the way, I’m okay with this for now.  But, don’t you cross my path in a race.  This Bull has got horns, too.

Uhm…where was I?  Oh, about my overall happy feeling. Yup, it’s a good day and I look forward to a great training week ahead.

See you later, beeyatches!

New Running Shoes or Accessories from Runnr

Tuesday, 14 July 2009  |  Race Announcements

RUNNR store will have its grand opening on July 17, 2009.  In line with this, they’re giving away RUNNING SHOES on their Facebook Promo and RUNNING ACCESSORIES for those who drop by the opening on Friday.  Read on for more details…

RUNNR, a pure running specialty store in Bonifacio High Street, is giving away five (5) top-of-the-line running shoes from top brands like NEWTON, ADIDAS, NIKE, MIZUNO AND NEW BALANCE. To get a chance to win, simply add us on Facebook and post your thoughts about running on our wall.

Winners will be announced on the Grand Opening of RUNNR on July 17, 2009, 8:30 PM.

So add RUNNR store on Facebook now and run to Bonifacio High Street on the 17th.

FREE RUNNING ACCESSORIES will be given away to the FIRST 100 runners who visit our store. Remember, be there on July 17, 8:30 PM onwards for a chance to take home running accessories. See you there!


*Deadline of entries is on July 17, 2009, 4 PM.

*For Philippine Residents only




FACEBOOK PROMO copylow
Mechanics for RUN AWAY WITH FREE RUNNING SHOES Promo:


  1. Write your thoughts about the sport of running and get a chance to win FREE Running shoes at RUNNR. 


  2. 5 Lucky participants will win Free Running Shoes at RUNNR (Bonifacio High Street).
  3. Deadline of entries is on July 17, 2009, 4:00pm.
  4. Winning entries will be notified via e-mail and will be contacted by RUNNR for the details on how to claim the prize. 

  5. In claiming the prize, winner must present 2 valid IDs and the printed notification e-mail from RUNNR .


  6. Winners will be announced on July 17, 2009, 8:30pm at RUNNR, Bonifacio High Street. 



1st 100 Promo
Mechanics for 1st 100 guests in RUNNR:



The first 100 guests (ages 5 & up) who will register in the “I AM A RUNNR” booth on July 17, 2009, 8:30pm onwards will be given FREE running accessories via “pick-a-prize”.

UPDATE: The first 50 RUNNR customers with a minimum purchase of P 1,000.00 will be given a singlet worth P 600.00

Note:
– All RUNNR customers who purchased running accessories P 1,000.00 and up from 8:30pm onwards on July 17, 2009 will register in the cashier, for RUNNR staff to monitor the number of customers who will be entitled to the promo.
– Customer’s receipt will be validated and will be signed by RUNNR staff to avoid duplication of use of the receipt.
– Customers who will qualify for the singlet will register in the cashier.

For more information on this promo, please log on to RUNNR accounts: